1998 Lada Niva Cossack

Summary:

This is a tank, a hell of a good little tank

Faults:

The only real thing that went wrong is that the motor explods at 134234Km.

Everything else work all right during all those years.

General Comments:

This is the kind of car that you buy not because you need a car to drive around, but because you just felt in love with it. It's not comfortable, it doesn't go fast, but it always start and destroy any wall of snow.

The cabin is very noisy and it is hard to ear the passenger in the back.

I never put more than 200$ a year to repair mainly the brake pads or a oil check-up. That's probably why the motor explode, but having pay 2500$ and having it for 5 years I guess this is what you call a good deal.

1997 Lada Niva Cossack 1.7I

Summary:

With a healthy sense of humor, even you could be a proud Lada Niva owner

Faults:

Instrument cluster failed for previous owner and had to be replaced at 9000km.

Headlight switch burnt out twice.

Headlight beam adjustment assembly never worked.

Drivers side window roll down assembly failed and had to be replaced, the cable cut into the pulley resulting in high resistance on the mechanism and I had to replace 2 window cranks before properly fixing the problem.

Cigarette lighter broke.

Heat control lever on dash is problematic, cable tends to slip off the mechanism. It also can't fully engage the heat valve to maximum heating. You have to reach under the dash and do it by hand.

Rear windshield washer fluid spray pump failed and I replaced it with an after market one. The fluid container was also cracked and had to be repaired when I bought it.

Front ball joints creaking and had to be replaced.

Front CV boots replaced.

Had to adjust steering box twice.

Front Differential failed at high speed on highway due to my own error. (I failed to re-fill diff after draining, to its credit, it went 350km on the highway with no oil in it before seizing).

Lost 5th gear and reverse gear on the highway in the middle of nowhere, probably linked to the differential failure.

General Comments:

I take the blame for the major problems with the Niva IE, the Front differential and the transmission failure. They were a result of my own error. All the other things are minor and are easily fixed. That's a good thing because they break often. I have toyed with the idea of replacing all the dash switches with simpler toggles, especially the headlight switch because it is particularly problematic. Installing after market pumps and motors to drive the wipers is also a good idea.

I have driven my Niva to Tampa FL. and back to Winnipeg MB. with no problems whatsoever. I changed the oil in Tampa and didn't burn a drop in either direction.

I like to go into the back woods and the not so travelled roads in attempt to find the perfect fishing spot. It never lets me down and comfortably carries a large fiberglass canoe on a roof rack.

In the time that I've had it, the longest its been out of commission was one month when I was waiting for transmission parts from Russia. Otherwise repairs are normally completed in a day.

I bought it at the end of 2001 for $6000 Canadian funds. It had only 46000km and was only 4 years old. To me, as far as 4x4s go, it was a steal.

I am interested in buying one of those after-market pop-up beds for the roof. Anybody know where I might find one?

I got my Lada re-painted in an attempt to fight the rust problem. I know the factory paint is poor quality so I thought paint would be a good investment. Its been one year and so far so good.

10th Feb 2006, 22:01

Nice review. I`ve experienced some of the minor problems you list, too. However, they can all be easily fixed. One of the joys of owning a Niva, is tinkering with and modifying the car - to one`s specifications. To me, it`s a hobby - and I love it.

If you ever get stuck for parts in Canada, bear in mind that they are plentiful in Australia and New Zealand. Lada Parts, 42 Aerodrome Rd. Caboolture, Queensland, 4510. Australia, have everything from a door handle to a new transmission. The new parts are inexpensive, and the service is friendly and most efficient. I have used them for years, and have never been disappointed. Happy Motoring!